Parx Horse Track, In Bensalem, Gets a Million-Dollar Race

BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) — Parx Racing, in Bucks County, is making horseracing history in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Parx Racing chief operating officer Joe Wilson says the famed Bensalem track has been awarded the first Grade I race to ever take place in Pennsylvania.

“There are approximately 50,000 races a year,” he notes, “and around a hundred of them are grade one races, which is basically the elite. It’s the best of the best, if you will.”

In celebration of the honor, Wilson says, there will be a $1-million purse for the newly named Cotillion Stakes G-one, starting in October of next year. It will be one of the largest filly purses in the world.

He expects the race to draw more people to the track, especially horseracing fans who have never seen a Grade I race in person.

Wilson says this may also be the shot in the arm that horse racing needs in Pennsylvania.